Political Quotes

“at this time when the fiscal year 1997 appropriations level for the National Endowment for the Arts is being determined, I would like to illustrate the importance of the arts to the education of our children and to the growth of the local economy through two examples from my home State of Rhode Island. The May 23 issue of Nature describes the Starting With the Arts [SWAP] Program for 96 first-graders in four Pawtucket, RI, classrooms. The program is based on the internationally recognized Kodaly curriculum that emphasizes musical and visual arts skills. After 7 months, the SWAP children scored better in math than their counterparts who had standard classes--and equally well in reading--even though their kindergarten scores indicated that they were behind. At the end of second grade, math comprehension and problem-solving skills were highest in students who received 2 years of the special program, next best in those who had 1 year, and worst in those who received the standard curriculum.”